PSORIASIS MAY BE REVERSED WITH SOME SIMPLE DIET MODIFICATION

UNDERSTANDING PSORIASIS

Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a completely different kind of skin condition from eczema or dermatitis. It is a chronic, recurring inflammatory skin disease characterized by red patches, dry, scaly skin with distinct border between the patch and normal skin. Pain and itching usually accompany this condition.

Psoriasis is a diverse form of skin disease that may appear in a variety of forms, each with their distinct characteristics. In some sufferers, it can change from one form to another.

SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS

Psoriasis begins most often in people aged between 10 and 40, although people in all age groups are susceptible. It usually starts with a small patch on the scalp, elbows, knees, backs or buttocks.

These patches may clear up after a few months, or may remain to grow into larger patches.

Some people never have more than one or two small patches, while others may have patches covering large areas of the body. Depending on where the patches form, they may itch or hurt and cause embarrassment.

Psoriasis could be a lifelong, non-contagious skin disease. There are many forms of psoriasis. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells that look like and are called “scales”.

Inverse psoriasis are mostly found under the armpits, groins, under breasts and in other skin fold areas. The lesions are very red and appear smooth and shiny, unlike plaque psoriasis.

Erythrodermic psoriasis causes the skin to become red and scaly. The lesions are like a burn, keeping the skin from serving as a protective barrier against injury and infection.

Pustular psoriasis has lesions that are large and small with pus-filled blisters (pustules) commonly forming on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Occasionally they are also scattered all over the body.

CAUSES OF PSORIASIS

Psoriasis occurs because of an abnormally high rate of skin cells growth. The reason for the rapid cell growth is thought to be a problem with the body’s immune system and the toxicity in the blood.

Lesions may flare up for no apparent reason, often resulting from conditions that irritate the skin, such as from consuming or inhaling an allergen, severe sunburn, or following infections such as a flu.

When exposed to bright sunlight (during summer), some symptoms may diminish. Whereas during the cold weather (or winter), flare-ups are very common. Some drugs may also cause flare-ups.

A number of other factors are also thought to cause or contribute to psoriasis, including excessive stress, excess copper and keratin, incomplete protein digestion, bowel toxemia, impaired liver function, sugar, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and excessive consumption of processed foods and animal fats.

Many people with psoriasis have deformed, thickened, pitted nails.

DIET/LIFESTYLE SUGGESTIONS

Excessive toxins in our blood stream that cannot be properly filtered by a poor liver and kidney, will try to escape through the skin, causing skin disorder and disruptions like psoriasis.

Skin ailments are warning signs that the body is not getting rid of toxins as it should. Psoriasis is said to be a life-long disease, but I believe that with a proper detoxification program, a total change in your dietary and lifestyle may make it short-lived.

Limit the consumption of sugar products, animal products, i.e. fats and dairy products as they contain a certain arachidonic acid found only in animal tissues that are especially toxic for chronic psoriasis sufferers.

Also eliminate tobacco and alcohol entirely as they can increase the absorption of toxins from the gut that stimulates psoriasis.

Studies have shown that fish oils can help prevent and relieve the symptoms of psoriasis. Increasing your intake of cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring and halibut can significantly alleviate symptoms, particularly itching, within eight weeks. If these fish are not easily available, try fish oil capsules.

Cut down on omega-6 type vegetable oils, such as corn, sunflower and safflower oils and margarines and shortenings made from these products. But increase intake of omega-3 best found in plant-based fresh flaxseed oil. Good, rapid results have been seen on psoriasis sufferers who take 2-3 tbsp flaxseed oil daily.

Other supplements worth taking to help speed up healing are the B vitamins, vitamin D, and a high-quality probiotics. See below for some suggestions of good probiotics.

Avoid sources of gluten, such as wheat to help reduce the problem.

Drink 2-3 glasses of green juices daily to help alkalize your body, cleanse the system and nourish/hydrate your cells for faster healing.

Drink plenty of pure drinking water to flush out the toxins.

Grandma’s tip: Rub a slice of potato on the skin to soothe skin itchiness.

RECOMMENDED HEALING FOODS FOR REMEDY OF PSORIASIS

Green juices are some of the best healing foods in the world that put our body back to balance. They remove unwanted microbes, parasites and toxins from our body, repair our cells, nourish and heal them.

Below are just some of the common greens and fruits that are less sweet that may be included into your diet, taken into consideration the points mentioned above under diet/lifestyle modifications.